Residents reject casino plan for Richmond, Virginia

Over 51.4 per cent of the residents who voted in the elections in Richmond, Virginia, said “no” to Urban One´s plan to construct a $565m resort.

US.- Residents in Richmond, Virginia, have rejected Urban One´s plan to construct a $565m casino on the city’s Southside. Over 51.4 per cent of Richmond voters said no to the measure, with a 1,200-vote margin.

Urban One’s plan was to construct a 90,000 square foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines, over 100 gaming tables, a competition poker room, and a sportsbook. In addition to gaming, the hotel would have offered 250 4-Star, AAA 4-Diamond luxury rooms, with the capacity to expand to 600 rooms.

Mayor Levar Stoney said: “From the beginning, we said the people would decide. They have spoken, and we must respect their decision. While I believe this was a $565m opportunity lost to create well-paying jobs, expand opportunity, keep taxes low and increase revenue to meet the needs of our growing city.

“I am proud of the transparent and public process we went through to listen to our residents and put this opportunity before our voters.”

Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins added: “For the last two years, we have worked so hard to build a large and inclusive tent with our ONE Casino + Resort project. We had a lot of loyal supporters who worked tirelessly on behalf of this project and for whom we will be eternally grateful.

“We ran a robust campaign and strongly believe this is a huge missed opportunity for Richmond residents to have a tourist attraction that would have provided the financial resources to improve schools and roads as well as enrich the lives of its citizens.”

See also: Virginia senator votes against One Casino, Richmond